United Starts Chicago-Shannon, Ireland Service

The Chicago-Shannon flight will depart from O'Hare every day except Tuesday and Wednesday -- at 6 p.m., arriving in Shannon at 7:30 a.m. the following day. The return flight will depart Shannon every day except Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m., arriving in Chicago at 1:05 p.m. the same day.

The new service will operate from June 6 through August 26, 2013.

For the flight, United will use Boeing 757-200 aircraft with a total of 169 seats - 16 in United Business class, 45 in United Economy Plus and 108 in United Economy.

Nonstop flights from Shannon to Chicago offer customers the added convenience of clearing customs and immigration pre-departure, enabling more efficient connections and a streamlined arrival process at Chicago O'Hare.

"On behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, I want to thank United Airlines for further expanding service from Chicago, and for continuing to invest in O'Hare's facilities to create a 'best in class' experience for our passengers," said Rosemarie S. Andolino, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation. "We are proud of the great partnership we have with Chicago's hometown carrier and we look forward to continuing to make Chicago a world-class destination that can be reached directly form almost anywhere around the globe."

The inaugural flight gate festivities included refreshments and entertainment for passengers, including performers playing traditional Irish music. Commissioner Andolino participated in a speaking program and ribbon-cutting for the flight, joining Aidan Cronin, Consul General of Ireland in Chicago; Alison Metcalfe, Executive Vice President, Tourism Ireland; Simon Gregory, Manager, Tourism Ireland; Jacqui Key, Managing Director, Customer Service, United Airlines and Bill Bryne, Sales Team Manager, United Airlines for the ceremony.